Phone calls from jail leads to arrest of Cedar City man on suspicion of witness tampering

Melissa Brockie, director of New Day Centers at UMOM in Phoenix, Ariz., details domestic violence or interpersonal violence. She explains its warning signs and resources available to victims. Nick Serpa/azcentral

A 27-year-old Cedar City man was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of witness tampering over telephone calls he made while an inmate at the Iron County jail, 5th District Court documents show.

According to probable cause statement, written by Cedar City police, Jacob Alcantar attempted to influence the statements of his girlfriend in connection with alleged incidents of aggravated assault and robbery.

Alcantar was first arrested on March 10, after Cedar City police responded to a report of domestic violence, court documents said.

Officers reportedly found a female victim with bruising at the scene.

The victim alleged that her boyfriend, identified as Alcantar, had struck her as she was holding their 4-year-old child.

The victim also alleged that Alcantar had choked her and "forced her to sign a check over to him," according to the probable cause report which details the arrest.

Cedar City police contacted the suspect and attempted to place him under arrest at which point he allegedly scratched officers' arms.

Alcantar was subsequently booked into Iron County jail on suspicion of felony robbery, aggravated assault, domestic violence in the presence of a child and misdemeanor interference with an arresting officer.

On March 11, the Iron County Attorney's Office filed felony charges against Alcantara.

On Tuesday, the date of a scheduled preliminary hearing, a narcotics task force listened in on calls Alcantar reportedly made from Iron County jail to his mother and to his girlfriend.

During a call with his mother, Alcantar allegedly suggested that his girlfriend should not answer incriminating questions regarding himself and that his girlfriend should "plead the fifth" during any testimony, officials said.

In a second call, Alcantar reportedly told his girlfriend that she "can say he didn't rob her and that it wasn't aggravated," according to the probable cause report.

The 27-year-old was subsequently arrested on suspicion of a felony charge of tampering with a witness.